This pilot study helps to set the stage for a more extensive follow-up that incorporates a broader sample and a wider range of outcome and predictor measures. Adding older individuals who lack a history of alcohol dependence at baseline would furnish a critical comparison group for the present affected sample. These affected – non-affected comparisons would be especially informative for individuals from the same families, due to their overlapping environmental and genetic backgrounds. It is anticipated that, as a group, historically unaffected subjects may be easier to locate (Koloski et al 2013), and that a greater percentage of them may be alive (Whitfield et al 2017). In addition, the array of outcome measures can be expanded to include: a) other substance use and disorders (e.g., marijuana and opioids); b) psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression); and c) cognitive status, with an emphasis on mild or moderate impairment and dementia. Lastly, we would like to utilize a broader range of baseline predictors, including environmental variables (e.g., socioeconomic status, traumatic experiences), neuropsychological test performance, endophenotypic measures (e.g., neurophysiological [EEG and ERP]), and genetic data.
